Andrea Toussaint, a full-time law student at Barry University, was awarded the Women’s Executive Council Scholarship of 2025 last month.

Each year, the scholarship awards $1,972 to women who are attending colleges located in Central Florida. Since 1987, WEC has been committed to empowering and recognizing women and have awarded $1,048,008 in scholarships funds to 580 women.

“It would be really encouraging to know that other women in the community see a potential for a woman, who is entering such a male dominated field, ” said the 23-year-old. “It’s encouraging to know that people believe in what you want to do and it’s more than just your family and friends that say they’re there to support you.”

Toussaint, who graduated with her bachelor’s degree in Criminology with a minor in Psychology and Deaf Studies at the University of South Florida, is currently a Juris Doctor (JD) candidate at BU’s Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law.

Toussaint had always been drawn to criminal justice, but her passion truly ignited in 2021 when she began working at the Tampa law firm Barnett, Kirkwood, Koche, Long & Foster, which later merged with Gunster in 2022. She then continued building her experience at the Todd Foster Law Group, where she worked until August.

She witnessed the drive and dedication behind the attorneys among her, who advocated for clients—this inspired her to do the same.

Now, she is preparing to get involved in the community through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program and clinic work at Barry, while also continuing to practice ASL to support the deaf community through future legal work.

She is expected to graduate in May 2027, ready to combine her legal training, community involvement, and advocacy into a meaningful career.